Diesel engine control



Jan. 25, 1944.

Filed May 2, 1941 Patented Jan. 25, 1944` DIESEL ENGINE CONTROL chester "1. Leuten, La Porte, 1nd., assignor to Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application May z, 1941, serial No. 391.442

(o1. 12s-14o) 14 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the control of internal combustion engines and more particularly to mechanism for controlling the fuel and air supply of internal combustion engines employing an oil bath type of air cleaner.

Most of the types of engines, in which there is an internal vaporizlng of the fuel, for example, Diesel engines, employ an oil bath type of air cleaner and the speed and the power output of the engine are generally controlled by a speed responsive governor operatively associated with the usual fuel injection equipment so as to vary the quantity of fuel delivered to the combustion chamber in accordance with changes in load sunlcent to eiect a variation in engine speed. The control mechanism usually employed includes a means for varying the speed setting of the governor and a means for completely terminating fuel feed when it is desired to stop the engine. However, in Diesel engines it is impractical to vary the air flow since the air flow is a function of engine speed and a material reduction in the weight or the density of the air drawn into the engine cylinder, materially reduces the compression pressure and temperature, thereby rendering ignition extremely diiiicult if not impossible without the aid of some positive ignition means, such as a glow or spark plug. In fact, the air flow is throttled in only. a few types of semi-Diesel engines equipped with a positive ignition means and then only to a relatively slight extent in comparison with the degree of throttling usually employed in the external mixing type of engine; i. e., the ordinary gasoline engine.

Consequently, when an internal mixing type of engine employing an oil bath type of air cleaner is drivingly connected with a load which is capable of being accelerated by some means other than the driving engine, such, for example, as a vehicle on -a steep down grade, the fuel feed will be reduced to a minimum commensurate with idling operation, but the air flow will increase as a function of engine speed, and if the load ac celerates the engine, the increased air flowmay carry a suiiicient quantity of oil from the air cleaner over into the engine to cause the engine to run away. Complete termination of fuel feed Will notprevent the engine from running away and the engine and the vehicle invariably suffer serious damage before the usual brakes can be applied and the speed decreased to a safe limit. This condition has actually occurred in connection with Diesel engine driven tractors and motor graders, and although attempts have been made to remedy this defect by redesigning the air cleaner to prevent oil carry-over into the engine, these attempts have not been successful.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved engine control operative to Y prevent the engine from running away.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved and simplified engine control which can be manipulated by the movements of a single element or lever to vary the speed setting of the governor and to completely terminate the flow of fuel and air when itis desired to stop the operation of the engine.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved and simpliiied engine control which can be manipulated by the movements of a single element or lever to effect the desired regulation and which will remain in any selected position without the aid of latching or locking means.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved and simplified engine control mechanism which will remain in any selected position without the aid of latching or .locking means and which can be readily moved to a different desired position with a minimum of effort.

The invention accordingly consists of the various features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims and in the detailed description, in which:

Fig. .1- schematically illustrates a Diesel engine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the form of friction disk holding mechanism employed in the control arrangement shown in Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the air valve and fuel shuto lever` shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing and particularly Fig. 1, it is seen that the control is shown as applied to a multicylinder Diesel engine I having a known form of fuel injection pump 2 and an oil bath type of air cleaner 3 which is operatively connected with the usual riser portion 4 of the intake manifold 5. Fuel under suitable pressure is conducted from the injection pump 2 into the usual engine cylinders or combustion chambers through conduits 6 and the quantity of fuel injected is controlled in a well known manner by means of a slidably mounted pump control rod 1. Fuel from a suitable source (not shown) is conducted 'into the fuel injection pump 2 through a pipe 8 which is provided with a control valve 9. Details of the air cleaner and fuel pump are not essential for a complete understanding of this invention and such features have been omitted in the interest of simplicity.

The riser portion 4 of the intake manifold 5 is provided with an air valve III to which is secured an actuating arm Il which has an intermediate portion operatively connected with one end of a link I2 by means of a lost motion con'- nection I3. The other end of link I2 is operatively connected with the stem portion of the fuel valve 9. A biasing spring I4, which has one end iixedly connected tof'. the intake manifold 5 :and its other end connected with an intermediate portion of the arm Il, acts to maintain the throttle valve I and the fuel valve 9 in their fullyopen positions shown. Further movement of the'arm II in a counterclockwise directionis prevented. by the fuel valve engaging the inner surface'of:

the valve casing. However, be accomplished, if desired, by stops (not shown) positioned I I or any other part operatively connected thereto.

'I'he shown position of the injection pump control rod 1 permits the injection of just sufficient fuel to maintain the engine operating under no load or idling conditions. The rod1 is operatively connected withra slidable sleeve member I5 which in turn is operatively connected with the iiyball mechanism I6 of a known speed governor I1. The governor I1 is opera# tively associated with the engine driven shaft I8 employedfor actuating the fuel injection pump I9. which is vfulcrumed intermediate' one end operatively 'connectedlwith 2. A lever its ends has ilyball mechanism I6 of'gve'rnor" l 1'and its other end operatively connected witlii'o'nen a yoke member 2I which has its "other end slid'- ably Vmounted on a reciprocable rod (hereinafter termed a rod) 22.4 The-end ofthe rod 22 whichextends within the yoke 2"I is p `ro''v vided with a transversely the rod 2z is inthe1ow'1d1e'position-fshowii;

'I'his construction permits vthe rod 22 "to moved asumcient distance to thelert from the form of centrifugal' member the same result can the use of suitable to vengage the arm the position shown, the spring I4 acts to maintain the fuel valve 3 and the air valve Il in their fully open positions.

Movement of the rod 22 in either direction from the position shown is effected by means of a rod 26 which in turn is adapted to be actuated from a remote point by a single hand lever or the like (not shown). Rod 26 is operatively connected with rod 22 by means of a holding mechanism 21 (the rod 2 6 and' the mechanism L21 constituting actuating means for the rod member 22), which as best seen in Fig. 2 is in the nature of a friction brake comprising a symmetrical hollow casing 28 presenting opposed inner annular surfaces 29 and 3| arranged in coaxial spaced relation, a shaft member 32 extending through and rotatably supported-insaid' 'casing in coaxial relation with respecttosaid annular surfaces, a pair of annular resilient disks33 and 34 mounted in spaced sliding non-rotative relation on a sleeve member 35 which is secured on the portion of the shaft member 32 confined within the casing 28 said 'disks being provided on their outwardlyfacing surfaces with annular lining elements 36 and 31' arranged for frictional .engagement with thesurfaces 29 and 3|, respectivelyan d a spring 38- interposed between said disks effective to at all timesmaintain firm frictional engagement between theelements 36 and 31 and the surfaces 2 9 and :3L-*The casing 28 isfixedly secured to .a stationary structure byany suitable 4means such: as-thebolts 39.'

'One c nd .of the -shaft member `32 lisprovidedwithatransversely extending-arm .4 Lto the outer" endv portionof which is. secured -therod 22.- andthe rod '26' and the-'other end ofsaidshaft memberis also., provided 'witlra transversely extending arm 40 extending pin 23 adapted to engage the 'opposite'inner end portions of a' serine. L43. suitable stationarystructure.

position shown in Fig. -1 to effect a closure of the i air valve I Il and thefuelpletely terminating the air and fuel supply without eiecting a movement of the lever I9. This operation completely terminates engine operation valve '9 thereby com-fv irrespective of the prevailing conditions of speed and in this connection meanssuch as the lost tween the air valve arm fecting complete closure of the fuel valve 9 before the air valve I0 reaches its fully ,'closedsposition as this sequential operation of the fuel andair valves. continues the ow of motionconnection-f I3 beainfor ashort period of time suilicient to consume the fuel. .which may;

continue to enter the combustionchamber-for a shorttime after the fuel valve. 9 isfu11y closed. A movement of the rod 22 toward the right from the position shown in Fig.

in a clockwise direction wh medium of the'govern'or ilyball' mechanism I 6 moves the pump control rod '1 jection land conditions the governor tain. a higher speed dependent upon'the extent the rod -22 is-moved in this direction. During movements of the rod 22 toward the 'right from the shaft' memb lon udinal .airis pf .-.the shaft and spring .'(I 3 .li e -in a.. plane, does'n'o't act produce a moment tending-to turnspring biased governor;

effecting a return 'of position. ,s hovvn.V .without the Aaid of a1 fpositiv the ,usual. actuating handle or lever pressure. between the ufriction disks with minimumeilort Ito effect the sttig. ofthe control'.devices,:iredithegovV ernor I 1 -and the .fuel and aaircontrollvalves -9" 'f The operation of the illustrated 'ioontol'a rangement Vshould vbe l o lwious zin-view of 'the' for'e'-4 going and a further-:description in' this connection a; complete.-''under` The invention-.isof generall .application and f. it -j should therefore-:be y; understood that it 'is not..desiredgto:1imitthe;' invention to. thel exact mode` ofpperation and=toferein' shown' is deemed unnecessaryffoin` Stariciin'gl of' the. invention the exactdetails v o'f 'construction andfthat-when thefarm 4I-- is movedfineit er .a.. QCkwiSelonacounterclock-f e positionshown; the spring 'f' produces a momen t .acting tourge. thearm14l infthe `direation in,..w.hic h it has beenfmovd.5-In other words', the sp ring 43 acts -.to prevent-vibration. andjtheactionfpf thai-biasing springfjl4,`r the* yballmechanism I6;- and other .biasingv means which mayi be .employed for the; arm-.4t its low idle 'eifect a substantially and described as various modifications withinthe scope of the appended claims nfay occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In combination, an internal combustion engine, means for separately conducting fuel and air into a combustion chamber of said engine, means controlling fuel feed and including a movable member positionable to effect variations in fuel feed between predetermined high and low operating limits and positionable to effect a substantially complete termination of fuelfeed, actuating means for selectively positioning said member to effect desired variations in the fuel feed between said predetermined limits and to e'ect a substantially complete termination of fuel feed, means controlling air flow and including a movable element operable when in one position to effect a substantially complete termination ofl air flow and operable when effect an air flow suilicient and connections rendering tive to control the position rendering the movement of said member to its said fuel feed terminating position effective to move said element to its said one position.

2. In combination, an internal combustion engine, means for separately conducting fuel and air 'into a combustion chamber of said engine, means controlling fuel feed and including a movable member positionable to effect variations in fuel feed between predetermined high and low operating limits and positionable to effect'a subin another position to for engine operation, said member operaof said element and stantially complete termination of fuel feed, ac-

tuatlng means for selectively positioning said member to effect desired variations in the fuel feed between said predetermined limits and to effect a substantially complete termination of fuel feed, means4 controlling air flow and including a movable element operable when in one position to effect a substantially complete termination of air flow, and operable when in -another position to effect an air iow suilicient for engine operation, and connections rendering said element responsive to predetermined movements of said member and the movement of said member to its said fuel feed terminating position effective to move said element to its said one position, said connections also rendering the movement of said member from its said fuel feed terminating position to its said low operating limit position effective to move said element from its said one position to its said other position.

3. In combination, an internal combustion engine, means for separately conducting fuel and air into a. combustion chamber of said engine, means controlling fuel feed and including a movable member positionable to effect variations in fuel feed between predetermined high and lowv operating limits and positionable to effect a sub- Y stantially complete termination of fuel feed, ac-

tuating means for selectively positioning said member to eifect desired variations in the fuel feed between said predetermined limits and to complete termination of fuel feed, means controlling air flow and including a movable element operable when in one position to effect a substantially complete termination of air flow, and operable when in another position to effect maximum air ow, and connections rendering said element responsive to predetermined movements of said member and the movement of said member to its said fuel feed terminating position effective to move said element to its said one position, said connections also rendering a movement of said member from its said fuel feed terminating position to its said low operating limit position effective to move said element from its said one position to its said other position, and means acting to m-aintain said element in its said other position while said member is moved to vary the fuel feed between said predetermined limits.

' 4. In combination, an internal combustion engine, means for separately conducting fuel and air into a combustion chamber of said engine, means controlling fuel feed vand including a movable member positionable to eilect variations in fuel feed between predetermined high and low operating limits, and positionable to effect a substantially complete termination of fuel feed, means controlling air flow and including a movable element operable when in one position to effect a substantially complete termination of air flow, and operable when in another position to eect an air flow suilicientfor engine operation, and connections rendering said member operative to control the position of said element, and rendering the movement of said member to its said fuel feed terminating position effective to move said element to its said one position.

5. In combination, an internal combustion engine, means for separately conducting fuel and air into a combustion chamber of said engine, means controlling fuel feed and including a movable member positionable to effect variations in fuel feed between predetermined high and low operating limits, and positionable to effect a substantially complete termination of fuel feed, means controlling air flow and including a movable element operable when in one position to effect a substantially complete termination of air flow, and operable when in another position to effect an air flow sufficient for engine operation, connections rendering said member operative to control the position of said element, and rendering the movement of said member to its said fuel feed terminating position effective to move said element, to its said one position, and actuating means operable to selectively position said member, said actuating means embodying a holding device comprising a friction brake having a movable part, and mechanism operatively connecting said part with said member for selectively moving said member away from a predetermined position in two different directions.

6. In combination, an internal combustion engine, mea-ns for separately conducting fuel and air into a combustion chamber of said engine, means controlling fuel feed and including a movable member positionable to effect variations in fuel feed between predetermined high and low operating limits, and positionable to effect a substantially complete termination of fuel feed, means controlling air flow and including a movable element operable when in one position to eiect a substantially complete termination of air flow and operable when in another position to effect an air flow suiilcient for engine operation, said member operative to control the position of said element and rendering the movement of said member to its said fuel feed terminating position effective to move said element to its said one position, and actuating means operable to selectively position said member, said actuating means embodying a holding device comprising a friction brake having an angularly movable part, and mechanism operatively connecting said part with said member for selectively moving said member away from a predetermined position in two different directions, said mechanism including a force producing means connected with said part and being operative, when said member is in said predetermined position to act on said part in a non-moment producing manner, and being .also operative as said part is being moved to displace said member from said predetermined position in either one of said two different directions, to produce an increasing moment acting to urge said part in the direction of its movement.

'7. In combination, an internal combustion engine, means for separately conducting fuel and air into a combustion chamber of said engine, means controlling. fuel feed and including a member movable relative to a predetermined position in two different directions, one of which effects an increase in fuel feed and the other of which effects a decrease in fuel feed, actuating means rendering said member selectively movable in said two different directions to eifect the variations in fuel feed necessary for normal operation and movable an additional distance in said other direction to effect a substantially complete termination of fuel feed, means controlling air now and including a movable element operable when in one position to effect a substantially complete termination of air flow and operable when in another position to effect an air flow sufficient for engine operation, and connections rendering said member operative to control the position of said element and rendering the movement of said member through said additional distance effective to move said element to its said one position.

8. In combination, an internal combustion engine, means for separately conducting fuel and air into a combustion chamber of said engine, means controlling fuel feed and including a member movable relative to a predetermined position in two different directions, one of which effects an increase in fuel feed and the other of which eii'ects a. decrease in fuel feed, biasing means acting to retain said member in said predetermined position, actuating means rendering'said member selectively movable in said two different directions to eifect the variations in fuel feed necessary for normal operation, and movable an additional distance in said other direction to effect a substantially complete termination of fuel feed, means controlling air flow and including a movable element operable when in one position to effect a substantially complete termination of air flow, and operable when in another position to effect an air flow sufficient for engine operation, and connections rendering said member operative to control the position of said element and rendering the movement of said member through said additional distance effective to move said elements to its said one position,isaid actuating means embodying a holding device comprising a friction brake having a movable part, and mechanism interconnecting said part and member for' simultaneous movement, said mechanism including a. force producing portion effective to act in opposition to said biasing means with increasing effectiveness as said member is moved away from its said predetermined position in either one of said two different directions.

9. In combination, an lnternalcombustion engine, means for separately conducting fuel and air into a combustion chamber of said engine, means controlling fuel feed' and including a member movable relative to a predetermined position in two different directions, one of which effects an increase in fuel feed and the other ofwhlch eifects a decrease in fuel feed, actuating means rendering said member selectively movable in said two different directions to effect the variations in fuel feed necessary for normal operation, and movable an additional distance in said other direction to effect a substantially complete termination of iuel feed, means controlling air iiow and including a movable element operable when in one position to effect a substantially complete termination of air flow and operable when in another position to effect an air fiow sufficient for engine operation, and connections rendering said member operative to control the position of said element and rendering the movement of said member through said additional distance effective to move said element to its said one position, said actuating means `embodying a holding device comprising a friction brake having an angularly movable part, and mechanism interconnecting said part and member for simultaneous movement, said mechanism including a force producing portion which is ineective when said member is in its said predetermined position, to act on said part in a moment producing manner, and which is effective as said part is being moved to displace said member from its said predetermined position in either one of said two diiferent directions, to produce an increasing moment acting to urge said part in the direction of its movement.

iu. An internal combustion engine control system comprising means controlling fuel feed and including a member movable relative to a predetermined position in two different directions, biasing means acting to retain said member in said predetermined position, and actuating means rendering said member selectively movable in said two different directions to effect desired vari-ations in fuel feed, saidactuating means embodying a holding 4device operative to prevent said biasing means from effecting a return of said member to its said predetermined position, said holding device comprising a continuously acting friction brake having 'a movable part operatively connected to and movable with said member, and a force producing means operatively connected with said part, so as to act in opposition to said biasing means with increasing effectiveness as said member is moved away from 1 its said predetermined position in'either one of said two different directions.

1l. An internal combustion engine control system comprising means controlling fuel feed and including a member movable relative to a predetermined position in twodiiferent directions, and actuating means rendering said member selectively movable in said two different directions to enect desired variations in fuel feed, said actuating means embodying a holding device comprising a friction brake having an angularly movable part operatively connected to and movable with said member, and a force producing means connected with said part, and being operative when said member is in its said predetermined position to act on said part in a non-moment producing manner, said force producing means being also operative as said part is being moved to.displace said member from its said predetermined position in either one of said two different directions, to produce an increasing moment acting to urge said part in the direction of its movement.

12. An internal combustion engine control system comprising means controlling fuel feed and including a member movable relative to a predetermined position in two different directions, and actuating means rendering saidV member selectively movable in said two different directions to effect desired variations in fuel feed, said actuating means embodying a holding device comprising a friction brake having a movable part operatively connected to and movable with said member, and a force producing means connected with said part and being operative as said part is being moved to displace said member from its said predetermined position in either one of said two different directions, to produce an increasing force acting to urge said part in the direction of its movement.

13. An internal combustion engine control system comprising means controlling fuel feed and including movable fuel feed regulating and cutoi apparatus, means biasing said control means to a selected fuel feeding position, a member movable in two different directions relative to a predetermined position, and actuating means operable to selectively move said member relative to said predetermined position in either one of said two different dirctions, and including connections rendering selected movements of said member effective to move said apparatus away from said selected position to fuel feed regulating positions and to a fuel feed terminating position, said actuating means also including a friction brake holding device and parts acting to progressively decrease the effectiveness of the means biasing said apparatus to said selected position as said member is moved away from said predetermined position in either one of said two different directions.

14. In combination, an internal combustion engine, means for separately conducting fuel and air into a combustion chamber of said engine, means controlling fuel 'feed and including movable fuel feed regulatingand cut-off apparatus, means biasing said control means to a selected fuel feeding position, means controlling air flow and including a movable element operable when in one position to effect a substantially complete termination of air ow, and operable when in another position to effect an air flow sufficient for engine operation, a member movable in two different directions relative to a predetermined position, and actuating means operable to selectively move said member relative to said predetermined position in either one of said two different directions, and including connections rendering said member operative to control the position of said apparatus and the position of said element, and rendering a predetermined movement of said member operative to effect a. movement of said apparatus to its fuel feed terminating position, and to effect a movement of said element to its said one position, said actuating means also including a friction brake holding device and parts acting to progressively decrease the effectiveness of the means biasing said apparatus to said selected position as said member is moved away from said predetermined position in either one of said two different directions.

CHESTER P. LELI'I'ER.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,5l0,2"(`0. I January 25, 19h14..

CHESTER P. LELITER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as fol-lows: Page 5, first column,'line h5, claim 2, line 70, claim 5, same page, second column, line 21, claim I+, 11n@ 59, claim 5, page h, first'column, line 5u, claim 8, and page 5, second column, line l2, claim lli, after "flow" strike out the comma; page 5, second column, line 16, claim b., and line 51+, claim 5, after "limits" strike out the comma; page 5, second column, line 2b., claim li, 111163,52 and )45, claim 5, and page 5, second column, line 22, claim lli, after "ele- Ament" strike out the comma; page )4., first column, line 14,8, claim 8, and

second column, line 5, claim 9, after "operationn strike out the comma;

line 25, claim 9, after "manner". strike out the comma; line M8, claim lO,

after "part" strike out the comme; page 5, first column, line 25, claim l5, for "dirctions," read -directio"ns--;' and second column, line 19, claim lll, after "directions" strike out the c om'ma, line 25, claim 11;., after "position" strike out the comma; and that the said Letters-'Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this 11th day of April, A. D. 19141;.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

